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McLay pushes for new hiring criteria Hurricane Natalie at PowerBreakfast blows audience away Business C1 Artsat The & Culture Meadows B7 Take charge of your health today. Be informed.Health B4 Be involved. www.newpittsburghcourier.com PittsburghPittsburghNEW Courier Courier VOL. 106, NO. 29 Three Sections Published Weekly $1.00 JULY 22-28, 2015 Helen Faison passes at 91 by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer After a career as a teacher, principal, su- perintendent and university chair that lasted more than 60 years, and inspired countless and women, Helen Faison has taken her final sabbati- cal. She died July 16, just three days after her 91st birthday. Hundreds filled Baptist Temple Church in Homewood for her funeral on July 20. Though born in Homewood, Faison moved to Virginia in 1924 after her mother con- tracted tuber- culosis. She re- CELEBRATING BLACK ACHIEVEMENT—As forward writer Candi Castleberry Singleton and introduction writer Chuck Sanders look on Who’s Who Exec- turned eight utive VP Ernie Sullivan and Min. Marita Dennise unveil the cover for the inaugural edition of Who’s Who in Black . (Photo by J.L. Martello) HELEN FAISON years later, eventually en- rolling at Westinghouse High School where she excelled, graduating in 1942. Faison began her teaching career in 1950 at Fifth Avenue High School. She also SEE FAISON A5 Who’s Who unveiling blows up Twitter

by Christian Morrow town—give yourselves a round of ap- Residents meet Courier Staff Writer “Getting our story told has al- plause,” she said. “Getting our story told has always been hard. We need some con- Combine colorful speakers, a hashtag ways been hard. We need trol over telling our story—that’s why this and more than 300 of Pittsburgh’s most book is so important. It’s a tool for honor- about Penn Plaza skilled talented entrepreneurs, artists, some control over telling our ing the community, for diversity, and it’s medical, legal, academic and business story—that’s why this book is part of your family legacy.” professionals—all with cell phones—and Before introducing UPMC Executive what do you get? so important.” Vice President and CAO Gregory Peaslee, eviction notice You get the official Who’s Who in Black Hayes-Freeland pointed to the ‘tweets’ Pittsburgh unveiling party, which not LYNNE HAYES-FREELAND flitting across one of the large screens at only rocked the Herberman Conference the front of the room, and told people to Center at sponsor UPMC’s Hillman Can- join in with #whoswhopittsburgh. Landlord agrees to delay cer Pavilion, but also blew up on Twitter Johnson Trio, the program began with Peaslee then welcomed everyone, and as honorees and guests celebrated the di- emcee and KDKA-TV reporter Lynne thanked Who’s Who for doing something by Christian Morrow rectory’s recognition of African American Hayes-Freeland saying she was privileged no one else had. Courier Staff Writer excellence. to be there. “Look at your program, at the spon- Following a sumptuously catered recep- “I’ve never been in a room with this SEE WHO’S A4 Even as residents railed against the tion that featured music by the James much talent. I salute you and my home- owner of the Penn Plaza Apartments issu- ing a 90-day eviction notice, Urban Rede- velopment Authority Chair Kevin Acklin was already negotiating a stay that would allow the residents to remain longer. Pittsburgh Promise changes scholarship amount “The owners don’t care,” said one resident who asked to remain anonymous because by Christian Morrow Pittsburgh Foundation President and CEO scholarship award—for students attending Maxwell King, Promise Executive Director Pittsburgh Public Schools from kinder- SEE PLAZA A5 Courier Staff Writer Saleem Ghubril said the changes are not garten on—will drop from $10,000 to In what supporters said was an effort to the first, and are intended to reach the $7,500, for a total of $30,000 over four extend the life of the scholarship program, maximum number of students for the years. When first announced in 2008, the The Pittsburgh Promise has lowered the longest time. top annual award was $5,000. Rash of weekend top amount it will award for college schol- “We want to ensure students who are in The other major changes include: arships and will no longer pay for books, or kindergarten today will have a scholarship •Eliminating the $1,000 annual award to room and board. when they graduate high school,” he said. SEE PROMISE A4 shootings leaves Joined at a July 14 press conference by Beginning in 2017, the maximum annual 4 injured, 2 dead Target sues hero in by Ashley Johnson Courier Staff Writer 2013 store stabbing A number of shootings took place this past weekend that left four injured and by Ashley Johnson being sued by Target Corporation two dead. From Larimer to the Marshall- Courier Staff Writer when he selflessly risked his life to Shadeland communities of Pittsburgh, save 16-year-old Allison Meadows neighbors heard gunshots. A man who has been hailed a hero from being stabbed further by Leon The violent weekend began on July 17 for assisting in the apprehension of Walls and sees it as a “slap in the with the late night shooting of two Black a homeless man who stabbed a teen face” for his courage and a way for males in the 900 block of Smithton Street girl twice while in the East Liberty Target to pawn off their responsi- in Marshall-Shadeland. According to a re- Target in March 2013, is now being bility in the matter. lease from the Pittsburgh Department of sued by the corporation, alleging Attorney Todd Hollis, who repre- Public Safety, a 21-year-old Perry North that his actions, along with others, senting Turner at no cost, said the male was shot in the head and a 26-year- brought a risk of harm into their es- lawsuit is not just a “slap in the old Bon Air male was shot in the back, both tablishment. face” to Turner, but anybody who were taken to Allegheny General Hospital. Last week, Michael Turner, of may try to help someone in need. Reportedly, an argument that had began East Liberty, took his story to the “If you or I were standing in front inside a Smithton Street residence had streets when he stood in front of the of that store and we were watching spilled onto the street. store with a handwritten sign that someone get assaulted, are we SUED FOR HEROISM—Michael Turner, right, with his attorney Todd SEE SHOOTINGS A4 read, “Target Sues Stabbing Victim SEE TARGET A5 Hollis. (Photo by J.L. Martello) Hero.” He believes he is unjustly PittsburghNEW Courier Ulish Carter says To subscribe, call 412-481-8302 ext. 134 Blacks should be involved in all sports or FAX 412-481-1360 Opinion A6 METRO A4 JULY 22-28, 2015 NEW Who’s Who unveiling blows up Twitter

CONTINUED FROM A1 sity of Pittsburgh, Urban gems so you get to see more complex and more Who in Black Pittsburgh. the next city’s going to sors—leave it to Who’s Lending Solutions and them in these pages,” he successful.” “We are not only in hand- have a hard time stepping Who. Who else could get Huntington Bank, before said. “We are not the peo- Then as cameras clicked cuffs, we are CEOs and up.” Highmark and UPMC that playing a special video ple you see on the six and fingers texted, he un- presidents,” he said. (Send comments to cmor- close,” he said. “But seri- honoring Pittsburgh youth o’clock news. We are much veiled the cover of Who’s “Thank you Pittsburgh, [email protected].) ously, I want to thank called “Leaders of the Fu- them for this testament to ture.” the depth and breadth of Highmark Executive Vice Pittsburgh’s Black commu- President for Community nity, and the 24 of our col- Affairs Evan Frazier then leagues in its pages.” thanked Who’s Who for As she prepared to intro- honoring several High- duce the remaining speak- mark employees. ers, Hayes-Freeland noted Following him, outgoing that none of her tweets UPMC Chief Diversity and had appeared on screen. Inclusion Officer Candi Rod Doss, associate pub- Castleberry Singleton, lisher of Who’s Who in who also wrote the forward Black Pittsburgh, thanked for Who’s Who in Black the Who’s Who Publishing Pittsburgh, thanked every- team for putting together one—including Highmark. the inaugural Pittsburgh “If I was feeling competi- edition. tive, I’d say welcome to my “It’s an honor to be asso- house,” she jokingly said. ciated with the people and “But this isn’t about any of the energy in this room,” that. This is about Pitts- he said. “This is a grand burgh and what we can do opportunity to showcase together. Today, Black the talent in Pittsburgh.” Pittsburgh did something State Rep. Jake Wheat- good.” ley, D-Hill District, then Chuck Sanders, CEO of congratulated everyone Urban Lending Solu- and urged them to go be- tions—the 14th largest yond the event, to ex- Black-owned firm in the change cards, and do country—who also wrote lunch, and follow up. Al- the directory’s introduc- legheny County Executive tion, encouraged the youth Rich Fitzgerald said Pitts- present to get their educa- THE LIVING LEGENDS—Rod Doss, associate publisher of Who’s Who in Black Pittsburgh, left, and Ernie Sullivan, executive vice pres- burgh has a lot of good tion, because even though ident of Who’s Who Publishing, right, flank the Living Legends. From left: Doss, Doris Carson Williams, Bev Smith, Patricia Prattis Jen- things happening now. he played professional nings, Katie Everette Johnson, Esther Bush and Sullivan. (Photos by J.L. Martello) “And a lot of it is because football, the NFL stands of the people in this room,” for “Not For Long.” he said. He then introduced the Hayes-Freeland said she Living Legends that have still wasn’t seeing her their own section in the di- tweets. rectory: Alma Speed Fox, “Oh wait,” she said. “I’m Bev Smith, Katie Everett doing it wrong—there’s no Johnson, Patricia Prattis apostrophe. Oh well, here’s Jennings, Doris Carson Valerie.” Williams and Esther Bush. Valerie McDonald Hiram Jackson, CEO of Roberts, the city’s chief Real Times Media, which urban affairs officer ex- owns Who’s Who, said the tended thanks from Mayor company came to a Bill Peduto and a chal- few years back and put out lenge: “Mentor these a directory and he wasn’t young people.” in it—so he bought the De Lena Scales and company. He thanked the Ernie Sullivan, sales and sponsors, the advertisers marketing manager, and and the people in the executive vice president books pages. respectively, then thanked “Sometimes people don’t the sponsors—UPMC, get recognized and it’s our Highmark, PNC, Univer- job to pull out those hidden Pgh Promise changes scholarship amount UPMC —Who’s Who in Black Pittsburgh honorees from UPMC enjoyed the recognition. CONTINUED FROM A1 Overall, African American students who already have students have received just full funding; 38 percent of the scholar- •Only paying for tuition ships. And even though and fees, not for room and Black students make up 68 board or books; and percent of an extension pro- •Awarding funds for four gram created to get border- years only beginning imme- line students above the 2.0 diately after graduation, GPA eligibility mark, Black students deferring a year males account for only 9 lose a year of funding. percent of Promise gradu- Additionally, the resi- ates. dency/attendance eligibility This has led to calls for scale will be adjusted, with even more changes, includ- students enrolling in ing making the promise grades 1-5 earning 90 per- available to students with cent, in grades 6-8 earning any passing grade. Ghubril 70 percent, and in 9th said that would not happen. grade earning 50 percent. “Scholarships by them- The changes are needed selves, regardless of because The Promise has amount, will not make stu- not reached its $250 million dents ready for post-sec- funding goal. UPMC’s do- ondary success. Only aca- nated $100 million over 10 demic readiness will,” he years, but The Promise and said. its supporters have raised “The factors that seem to only $74 million of the re- hinder some Black males mainder in corporate, foun- from meeting our minimum dation and individual dona- eligibility criteria are many, tions. they are complex, and they With the Pittsburgh Foun- are a national struggle. dation acting as The Some factors are school- Promise’s fiduciary agent, based, while others are so- King said it is important for cial, emotional, familial, HIGHMARK—Who’s Who in Black Pittsburgh honorees from Highmark enjoyed the evening and the honor. the city’s corporate commu- economic, or health- nity to step up its contribu- related. The solution re- tions. If the goal is reached, quires our entire commu- the changes announced will nity locking its elbows allow The Promise to dis- around our children and Rash of weekend shootings leaves 4 injured, 2 dead tribute scholarships working tirelessly on re- through 2028. But King building the foundational was optimistic that it would assets that all children CONTINUED FROM A1 Black male laying in the dents also took place the reason can be pinpointed, continue beyond that. must have in order to suc- Hours later, ShotSpotter street near the intersection prior weekend, July 10-12. authorities are seeing a “I think there’s hope that ceed.” captured several shots fired of Minott and Sorrento Over those three-days, six pattern of retaliatory shoot- we can have a continuous In addition to the exten- at the Sunoco gas station, Streets in Marshall-Shade- shootings occurred; five in ings in regards to various fundraising capability in sion program—which will located at 6481 Frankstown land. According to a release, Pittsburgh, one outside of matters, such as drugs, this community to keep the continue to pay for a year at Ave., in Larimer. Upon ar- the male was shot in the the city, in Allegheny gangs, domestic incidents, Promise going forever,” he Community College of Al- rival, authorities found 31- head and taken to Al- County. Of the six, one was etc. said. legheny County, and for year-old Paul Jones Jr. lying legheny General Hospital fatal. On July 10, Derek While shooting incidents Though Ghubril said it three more years at any in- on the ground. He was pro- where he was last classified McCellan, 44, was found seem to be all too frequent, cannot claim complete state college, university, or nounced dead at the scene. as being in critical condition. dead in a vehicle on Cham- Toler pointed out that the credit, The Promise’s latest trade school for those who In the early morning of Hours later, just after bers Street in Clairton. He number of homicides that annual report noted that succeed—Ghubril said re- July 19, 25-year-old Maria midnight on July 20, a 47- had multiple gunshot have taken place in the city through 2014, the school gional leaders are working Bruno was found fatally year-old female from Car- wounds to the head. thus far, which is 26, is down district’s graduation rate with him on a “more collab- shot in the backyard of a rick, according to a Public When asked if there was a from last year at this time, has risen from 65 percent to orative support system for home in the 900 block of Safety release, was shot trend behind the number of which she said were 41. 71 percent since 2009, for our most vulnerable stu- Fordham Ave., in Brookline. multiple times in the chest shootings in the city, Sonya Although homicides are Black students the rate has dents.” She too was pronounced in the 900 block of Toler, public information of- recorded, there is currently increased from 57 percent “We want to see more of dead at the scene. While Brownsville Road in ficer for the Pittsburgh De- no data that captures the to 65 percent. them become Promise-eligi- there were others in the Knoxville. Two Black males partment of Public Safety, number of shootings when However,The Promise has ble,” he said. “We will be home at the time, it is still were seen running away told the New Pittsburgh no fatalities occur. been criticized for not able to share more details unclear what happened. No from the scene. Courier, that while no one As of July 20 there have reaching enough of the dis- later in the year.” one has been charged. No one has been arrested can truly explain why indi- been 51 homicides that trict’s most at-risk demo- (Send comments to cmor- Then later that evening, in either of these incidents. viduals resort to gun vio- have taken place within Al- graphic—Black males. [email protected].) police spotted a 17-year-old A number of shooting inci- lence and no one particular legheny County.